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French soldiers sit aboard a Malian military armed car

Hollande pledges further support for Mali

France has pledged to keep troops in Mali until stability returned to the West African country, raising the spectre of a long campaign against al Qaeda-linked rebels who held their ground despite a fifth day of air strikes.

News • 15 Jan 13

Angela Merkel and Enda Kenny had a 30-minute phone call yesterday

Francois Hollande backs bank debt deal for Ireland

French President Francois Hollande has described Ireland as a special case in its quest to secure a deal on its bank debt.

News • 22 Oct 12

France unveils a budget heavy on taxes

The French government aims to tackle the country's deficit and jumpstart its economy when it unveils its budget for next year later today.

Business • 28 Sep 12

French government cuts growth forecast

French President Francois Hollande has blamed a worse-than-expected economic slowdown for a new cut in his government's growth forecast for this year and next.

News • 10 Sep 12

Officials discussed Greece's attempt to get more time to implement austerity measures

Europe must make decision on Greece - Hollande

French President Francois Hollande has said that Greek leaders must demonstrate their commitment to push through reforms, adding that Europe must take decisions on the country as soon as possible.

News • 27 Aug 12

Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande spoke about Greece's request for more time

Merkel and Hollande unite over Greece

Germany and France have presented a united front towards Greece, saying it should not expect leeway on its bailout agreement unless it sticks to tough reform targets.

News • 24 Aug 12

Francois Hollande (L) mets Italian Prime Mario Monti in Paris

Monti and Hollande discuss eurozone debt

The leaders of Italy and France have reaffirmed their commitment to the eurozone as efforts continue to boost confidence in currency bloc.

News • 01 Aug 12

Herman van Rompuy said he expects the deal to go ahead

Italy and Spain withhold support for growth pact

Italy and Spain tonight withheld support for an EU growth pact pending pledges of swift support from their partners to help fend off prohibitive borrowing costs, their officials said.

News • 28 Jun 12

The leaders of Europe's four biggest economies met in Rome ahead of next week's summit

Europe's big four agree €130 bn stimulus package

The leaders of the eurozone's four top economies have announced €130 billion in new measures to support growth after their meeting in Rome.

Business • 22 Jun 12

Ireland is concerned that banks could leave the IFSC for London if a financial transactions tax is brought in

Ireland to remain outside financial tax group

The Minister for Finance has said Ireland will not be part of a core group of EU countries implementing a financial transaction tax as long as the UK remains outside the group.

News • 22 Jun 12

Socialists set to win overall majority in France

French President Francois Hollande's Socialists won an absolute parliamentary majority today.

News • 17 Jun 12

Francois Hollande's Socialist party could hold a majority without support from left-wing allies

Hollande's party heads for parliamentary majority

French President Francois Hollande's Socialists and allies have topped first-round parliamentary elections and look set to secure the majority needed to push through reforms.

News • 11 Jun 12

Newly-elected French President Francois Hollande is seeking a parliamentary majority for his party

Hollande on track for majority in French election

French President Francois Hollande's Socialist Party is headed for an absolute majority in parliament with its Greens Party allies, according to initial vote projections from tonight's first-round ballot.

News • 10 Jun 12

Rebels issue peace plan ultimatum to Assad

Syrian rebels today gave President Bashar al-Assad a 48-hour deadline to comply with an international peace plan, saying they would otherwise renew their battle to overthrow him.

News • 30 May 12

Francois Hollande meets French troops in Afghanistan

French president makes surprise Afghan visit

French President Francois Hollande has arrived in Afghanistan for a surprise trip to visit French troops and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

News • 25 May 12

Michael Noonan said Ireland has been proposing euro bonds for a long time

Noonan welcomes Hollande euro bonds proposal

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said he does not expect agreement on euro bonds at tomorrow's EU summit.

News • 22 May 12

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama step off Air Force One upon arrival at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Afghanistan withdrawal to dominate NATO summit

NATO leaders are meeting in Chicago for a summit aiming to chart a path out of Afghanistan.

News • 21 May 12

The two men will hold a pre-summit meeting in Washington later today

Britain's Cameron backs Hollande deficit plans

British Prime Minister David Cameron backed new French President Francois Hollande's deficit plans as the leaders prepared to meet for the first time in Washington today.

Business • 18 May 12

Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande in Berlin talks

France and Germany vow to assist Greece

German chancellor Angela Merkel has said both she and new French President Francois Hollande want Greece to remain in the eurozone.

News • 15 May 12

Merkel expects 'stable partnership' with Hollande

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she believes a stable partnership with Socialist French president-elect Francois Hollande is possible after she backed his rival Nicolas Sarkozy.

News • 14 May 12

'Growth on credit would just push us right back to the beginning of the crisis,' Angela Merkel said

Hollande to press ahead with growth agenda

French president-elect Francois Hollande has signalled to Germany that he remains determined to change Europe's focus from austerity to growth after Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected any economic stimulus on credit.

Economy • 11 May 12

Eamon Gilmore said a No vote would cut Ireland off from emergency funding from Europe

Eamon Gilmore denies it can be 'business as usual'

Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore has claimed that it cannot be “business as usual” if Ireland rejects the fiscal treaty.

News • 18 May 12

Francois Hollande president elect wants to put an end to austerity

Francois Hollande celebrates French election win

A victorious Francois Hollande faces a short honeymoon after his election as France's first left-wing president in 17 years.

News • 07 May 12

Francois Hollande won the vote with about 52%

Francois Hollande elected French President

Francois Hollande was elected France's first Socialist president in nearly two decades today, dealing a humiliating defeat to incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and shaking up European politics.

News • 08 May 12

Graffiti tagged on official campaign posters of Francois Holland (L) and incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy

Campaigning ends in French election

Campaigning has ended in France for a decisive second-round presidential vote.

News • 06 May 12